Thanks to the bad luck of more than a few world class national teams, they have surprised everyone by advancing to the round of 16, and will play Belgium on July 2 (Singapore time).

But what are the chances they could win the whole thing?

Superstar statistician Nate Silver - aka the guy who accurately predicted 100 per cent of the state by state results in 2012's US presidential elections, according to Forbes - has the numbers on his website FiveThirtyEight.

If they beat Belgium, they will meet either Argentina (likely) or Switzerland (not so likely).

Odds of beating Argentina

Not good - 20%

Odds of beating Switzerland

Almost 50%

Odds of advancing to the semi-finals for the first time since 1930

13%

Odds of winning the World Cup

1.2%

Silver based the odds on his Soccer Power Index, developed with ESPN in 2010, which measures things like a team's offensive and defensive prowess (based on goals scored and allowed), and also how a national team's players have fared in international club leagues, among other factors.